RIO FERDINAND has hailed the man with "two great feet" as one of the keys in Manchester United's bid for Euro glory.
But he is not analysing ball-playing artists like Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez or Nani.Ferdinand is talking about keeper Edwin van der Sar.
The Dutch veteran plays the last game of his illustrious career against Barcelona in tomorrow night's Champions League final at Wembley.
And Ferdinand insists there is so much more to the 40-year-old than using those big hands to keep the ball out of United's net.
The England star said: "In today's football you've got to be good with your feet whatever position you are, even if you're a keeper.
"You can be the best shot stopper in the world but if you haven't got good feet at Manchester United, you aren't going to survive.
"Edwin is brilliant whether the ball comes on his left or right foot.
"He's the best keeper I've seen with his feet and the best I've played with full-stop. He sweeps everything up and, as a defender, you can be totally confident giving the ball back to him.
"He's brilliant, he talks, he's a studier of the game and he understands it all. He makes you feel comfortable when you've got him behind you.
"He's calm and cool and we have a great partnership."
Van der Sar hopes to retire with another Champions League medal round his neck having first won the competition with Ajax 16 years ago.
It is also sometimes forgotten that, although Chelsea's John Terry missed in the penalty shootout in the 2008 final, it was actually Van der Sar's save from Nicolas Anelka's kick which clinched the trophy for United.
Many believe the keeper could go on for at least another season.
Ferdinand said: "Everyone was singing 'One more year' at our do after the game against Blackburn when we won the Premier League title.
"He enjoyed that but he wasn't going to change his mind. I spoke to him about it at lunch the other day but you have to understand that he's going out at the very, very top.
"Not many players get the choice to do that and he's got that choice.
"Next year he could play and he might look his age and if he goes out with a whimper, it's not the same. You've got to respect his decision."
Van der Sar, who joined United in 2005, plays in his fifth Champions League final - a record for a keeper.
He has won AND lost the European showpiece with both Ajax and United.
He admitted: "You do think more about things you lose than what you win. When you have won, your medal goes into the cupboard or the safe in the bank.
"But when you lose, you know something has slipped through your fingers.
"It makes you more determined. If we win, I won't want to go home. If I lose, I won't want to leave home. I just wouldn't want to see anyone."
Ferdinand, 32, is becoming one of United's elder statesmen himself - and there have been concerns injuries could curtail his Old Trafford career.
"As long as I'm fit, I'm happy. When I'm not fit, I'm not happy. If I'm playing and involved, then being the elder statesman's not a problem.
"I don't think about whether injuries will come back. I just look at the next game. If you worry about injuries, you tend to get injured.
"I don't look too many seasons ahead. Get through this season and on to the next and we'll go from there."
Ferdinand and the United squad sat down last week and watched a re-run of the 2009 final against Barca, which they lost 2-0. The genius of Lionel Messi did for them in Rome and he outshone Cristiano Ronaldo, who left United for Real Madrid that summer.
Ferdinand said: "There aren't enough words out there to describe the little fella.
"His goalscoring record this season is phenomenal. He's scored more than 50 - and Ronnie is just behind.
"But I'd still take Ronaldo in my team before Messi. That's probably because I've played with him and I think he suits English football better.
"Messi is a great player, though, and he does some breathtaking stuff. But I believe we can deal with him and I'm confident we can win it. This time I'm determined to enjoy my holiday and that will only happen if I've got that trophy in my hands again."
Rio is gearing up for an exciting Champions League final and has brought forward the launch of his free-to-download mobile phone app. Android users will be able to watch exclusive videos and read Rio's real-time Twitter. The iPhone app will be launched next month.
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